Food Prize 2026

Food Prize 2026 is a regional food business competition and industry convening designed to support new and existing food entrepreneurs across Michigan.

The event combines a pitch competition, food product showcase, and educational summit, bringing together food business owners, support organizations, funders, and industry partners.

📅 Saturday, March 21, 2026

⏰ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

📍 Kellogg Arena & Battle Creek Innovation Hub

Program Overview:

Pitch Competition | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Two competitive tracks:
• Food Service (catering, food trucks, restaourants) — Regional
• Food Manufacturing (CPG Food & Beverage) — Statewide

Up to $40,000 in cash awards will be distributed!

Food Business Summit | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Educational forums focused on the operational, regulatory, and financial needs of food businesses.

Make It:
• Commercial kitchen access, incubators, and accelerators
• Regulatory and compliance requirements

Fund It:
• Capital access, including loans, grants, and investment

Sell It:
• Scaling operations
• Co-packers, contract manufacturing, and retail pathways

Food Show:
Participating vendors will showcase and sell products at Kellogg Arena.

Hosts / Co-Hosts
• Small Business Battle Creek
• Kellogg Arena
• Sprout BC
• BC Food Reimagined
• Battle Creek Innovation Hub
• Northern Initiatives

Que The Cheese – BBQ + Mac & Cheese Festival

🧀 Get ready, Battle Creek — the mash-up you’ve been waiting for is HERE! 🔥

Introducing QUE THE CHEESE — where smoky BBQ meets ooey-gooey mac & cheese, all under one delicious roof at Kellogg Arena!

📅 Saturday, February 28th, 2026

⏰ 3 PM – 7 PM

🎟️ Purchase tickets HERE!

Interested in volunteering at Que the Cheese? Sign up HERE!

Interested in sponsoring this smokin’ event? View sponsorship opportunities HERE.

Whether you’re team brisket, team cheddar, or both — come taste, sip, and celebrate Battle Creek’s boldest new food fest.

Trap N’ Skate

Excel Media Presents: Trap N’ Skate at Kellogg Arena!

In partnership with Casamigos — this is the Adult Skate Night the city’s been waiting on.

Hip Hop + R&B & Drinks all night

Sounds by DJ Sic Musiq Anthony Marcel

Friday, Dec 5th, 2025

Doors open 7:30pm–11pm

Kellogg Arena

🍺 Ages 21+ (Valid ID Required. No photos/screenshots or paper ID’s accepted.)

$10 Ticket Entry

🛼 $12 Skate Rental or Bring Your Own (limited rentals available) provided by Good Vibez Mobile Roller Skating LLC

A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Justice E. Bowser II Justice Center.

✨ Pull up, vibe out, and roll with us — the floor is waiting. 🛼🔥

🎟️ Skip the line. Purchase your mobile tickets online now!

🚗 Parking available in the Hamblin Ave ramp for $5

Battle Creek Farmers Market

🌿 Downtown Battle Creek Farmers Market 🌿

Where Community Gathers & Freshness Thrives!

Join us at the heart of downtown for the Battle Creek Farmers Market— your weekly destination for fresh produce, local goods, delicious eats, and vibrant community spirit!

🗓️ When: Every Wednesday from May 14th through October 8th
📍 Where: Festival Market Square [25 McCamly St. Battle Creek, MI]
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Come stroll through a lively outdoor market filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, artisanal products, and handmade crafts—all brought to you by local farmers, makers, and small businesses.

Enjoy live music, food trucks, family-friendly activities, and the warm, welcoming vibe that makes the Battle Creek Farmers Market a local favorite.

Whether you’re a regular or visiting for the first time, we can’t wait to see you there!

📣 Stay connected!
Follow us on Facebook for vendor lists, live entertainment schedules, and special market events.

Visit downtownbcfarmersmarket.com for vendor and sponsorship information!

Thank you to our Farmers Market Sponsors:

Friday Nite Beats & Bites – Retro Night

🎶✨ Join us for our Friday Concert Series, Friday Nite Beats & Bites! 🎶✨

Markets will take place June 27, August 22, and October 10 from 6pm-9pm.

🎧🕺 Friday Nite Beats & Bites is a vibrant concert series at the Battle Creek Farmers Market! Enjoy live music from talented bands, savor delicious bites from local food vendors, and shop unique crafts from area artisans. Join us for an evening of great music, tasty food, artisan vendors and community fun!

Check out our Facebook page for a list of Friday vendors!

August 22nd’s night market theme will be Retro Night! 🛼 Throw on your neon, your bell bottoms, or your best grunge look — whatever decade you love most — and meet us at Festival Market Square! 🪩

💿 Music coming soon!

🍔 Current Food Trucks:

Kona Ice
Scott’s Sweets

10th Annual Backyard Burgers and Brews Fest

The 10th Annual Backyard Burgers & Brews Festival returns to Downtown Battle Creek! 🍔🍻🎶

Downtown Battle Creek’s favorite end-of-summer bash is back and bigger than ever! Featuring 40-50 mouthwatering food trucks, 9 hopping downtown bars and restaurants, the buzz of the Social District, and the electric sounds of Run 4 Cover rocking the 80s and 90s all night long.

Families, foodies, and fun-seekers unite for one unforgettable evening of flavor, music, and community connection!

Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 | 5pm-10pm

Presented by the Battle Creek Chamber.

🚗 Parking available in the Hamblin Ave. Parking Structure: $5

Friday Night Beats & Bites – Country Night

Join us for our Friday Concert Series, Friday Nite Beats & Bites!

Markets will take place June 27, August 22, and October 10 from 6pm-9pm.

Friday Nite Beats & Bites is a vibrant concert series at the Battle Creek Farmers Market! Enjoy live music from talented bands, savor delicious bites from local food vendors, and shop unique crafts from area artisans. Join us for an evening of great music, tasty food, and community fun!

Check out our Facebook page for a list of Friday vendors!

June 27th’s theme will be Country Night!

Music by Double Wide Ride

Food Trucks:

Cookin’ With Beans
Momma Stacy’s Kitchen & Catering
Kona Ice
Scott’s Sweets

Post Community Band Concert Series

Join us in seeing The Post Community Band showcase their talent! The Post Community Band is a positive instrument to the community by inspiring and encouraging a positive vibe through music.

June 19, 2025

June 26, 2025

July 10, 2025

July 17, 2025

July 24, 2025

Location: Festival Market Square (Downtown Battle Creek)

Time: 7pm, Doors: 6:30pm

This event is free admission and open to the public!

For more information, contact Randy Yother at postfoundationofbc@gmail.com.

Glizzy Festival 2025

🌭 Battle Creek’s Hot Dog competition returns in 2025! Join us at Kellogg Arena as we celebrate America’s favorite past time! 🌭

What to expect at Glizzy Fest:

Diverse Vendors:

🍴 Indulge your taste buds with a variety of hot dog creations from talented vendors. From classic franks to gourmet twists, Glizzy Fest promises a flavorful adventure for hot dog enthusiasts.

Fun for the whole family:

🎤 Enjoy the lively atmosphere with music, karaoke, and activities for the whole family. Glizzy Fest is not just a feast for the taste buds but also a celebration of community and fun.

Vote for the best glizzy:

👍 As you relish each bite, don’t forget to cast your vote for the best glizzy! Attendees will have the exciting opportunity to participate in the Glizzy Fest competition and crown the top hot dog of the day.

🎟️: Get tickets HERE!

General Admission: $7, children 12 and under are FREE

🌭 Think you’ve got what it takes to be crowned the Ultimate Glizzy Gobbler?
Sign up now to compete in our Hot Dog Eating Competition at Glizzy Fest 2025! Spots are limited — bring your appetite and your A-game. 🏆🔥

👉 Sign up HERE for the Glizzy Gobbler competition!

Special Thanks

Grand Champion Sponsors:

Grand Champion sponsors help bring fun and exciting food events to Battle Creek including: Glizzy Fest Hot Dog Competition, Que the Creek BBQ Festival and The Big Cheese Mac+Cheese Festival. Interested in becoming a Grand Champion? Click here.

Special thanks to this year’s Grand Champion sponsors:

Gold Grand Champion

Silver Grand Champions

The MacFarlane Family

Battle Creek Taco & Tequila Festival

🌮 Taco & Tequila Fest Returns—Now in Downtown Battle Creek!🍹

🍋‍🟩 The Battle Creek Battle Jacks who have hosted fan-favorite festivals like Donut & Beer Fest and Piepalooza—are thrilled to bring back one of the area’s most flavorful events: Taco & Tequila Fest, coming to Downtown Battle Creek’s Festival Market Square on Saturday, July 19th, 2025!

🌮 Taco Heaven
Sample a delicious variety of tacos from some of the best local taquerias and restaurants across Southwest Michigan.

🥃 Tequila, Cerveza & More
Taste from a selection of tequila samples, plus cervezas, margaritas, and other refreshing mixed drinks from top tequila brands and regional breweries.

🎉 A Downtown Fiesta for Everyone
With a new home in the heart of downtown, Taco & Tequila Fest is bigger and better than ever—and it’s still fun for all ages. Special ticket options are available for guests under 21 or those choosing not to consume alcohol.

Tickets on sale NOW!

🎟️ https://www.bctacoandtequilafest.com/